The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Abuja

  • Court remands man over sexual harassment of minor

    Court remands man over sexual harassment of minor

    A Karmo Grade 1 Area Court in Abuja on Thursday ordered the remand of a 25-year-old man in prison over alleged sexual harassment of a minor.

    The Judge, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq, ordered that the defendant remain in custody until Oct. 5 for further hearing.

    The defendant, a resident of Tasha 1, Abuja, is standing trial on a two-count charge of gross indencency and criminal force assault.

    The prosecutor, Mrs Florence Avhioboh, told the court that Asema Kubmu of same address with the defendant reported the matter at Gwagwa Police Station, Abuja on Sept. 7.

    Avhioboh said the defendant criminally and intentionally put his finger into his 13 years old daughter’s private part, an offence which contravened sections 285 and 265 of the Penal Code.

    The defendant had, however, pleaded not guilty to the offence

  • I have 70% knowledge of my opponent – Falconets coach

    I have 70% knowledge of my opponent – Falconets coach

    The head coach of the Nigeria female U20 team, Christopher Danjuma, has said he has 70 per cent knowledge of how the Falconets ’ opponent, Tanzania, will play the African qualifier for France 2018 on Saturday.

    The coach, who disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria（NAN）in Benin on Thursday, said the Falconets would approach the match in a  business like manner.

    He said his team worked more on tactics they hoped to execute the match at their training session on Thursday morning, adding that the girls were well prepared and motivated to tackle  the East African team.

    Danjuma said he was not bothered with the Tanzanians style of play, as  the Falconets were prepared to counter any style adopted by their opponents.

    “It would have been suicidal for me not have known anything about our opponent. Be that as it may we are going to make Nigerians proud  come Saturday.

    “Our aim is to win and win well. We want to do this so that the return leg will just be a formality for us,” he said.

    NAN reports that the Falconets, who arrived the ancient city late Tuesday night, have been training since Wednesday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, venue of the match.

    Their opponent, Tanzania, are expected to fly into Abuja on Thursday and procees to Benin same day.

    The second leg feature will take place in Dar es Salaam on Sept. 30, with the winner, on aggregate, to tackle the winner of the Morocco/ Senegal clash in the second round in November.

    NAN reports also that the 9th FIFA U20 World Cup will be staged in four cities in France from August 7 to 26 2018.

  • Bonny Bodo: FG, NLNG, Julius Berger sign N120b tripartite agreement

    Bonny Bodo: FG, NLNG, Julius Berger sign N120b tripartite agreement

    The Federal Government has signed N120 billion tripartite agreement with the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited and Julius Berger Nigeria Plc to construct Bonny Bodo road in the Niger Delta.

    The contractual agreement will ensure the project is completed and delivered in four years.

    The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing made a commitment of N60 million for the project while NLNG will provide the remaining  N60 million to ensure successful completion of the project.

    Speaking at the agreement signing on Wednesday in Abuja, Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola described the meeting as concluding part of the procurement process for the project execution.

    He said the gesture was in compliance with the Economic Recovery Growth Plan (ERGP) of the federal government, commitment to develop the Niger Delta as well as the partnership with the private sector as major contributor to national growth.

    Fashola said: “Essentially we will formally sign the agreement today. It concluded the procurement process for starting the constructing process of the Bonny bridge.

    “This is important for many reasons. First, it complied with the ERGP which the President launched to revive the economy and one of the pillars of that plan is infrastructure provision….therefore NLNG has decided for reasons which you will hear from them to add funds on equal basis to the project to the value of N120.6 billion and they will be taking 50 per cent of the cost of delivering the project while government takes 50 percent of the cost.

    “This is a major statement in partnership with private sector to deliver public use. We gather here to improve the quality of lives in the Niger Delta, spend more in developing infrastructure. We assure that immediately work starts, we will start to see improvements in the various value chains.”

    In his remarks, NLNG Managing Director, Tony Attah, said the project will open the Niger Delta to new frontiers of development and secure better opportunities for the rural communities.

    He said the gesture was part if their efforts to contributing to the development of the region.

    According to him, the NLNG has drastically reduced gas flaring from over 65 per cent before it commenced operation to 20 per cent today.

    Beyond the project, he disclosed plans to make the Bonny mini-Dubai, such that a sum of N3 billion will be committed to the region for genuine development in the next 25 years.

    Attah attributed high poverty rate as major reason for unrest in the region stressing that the community still host major federal government investments

    “This is a 40 kilometres road that connects Bonny kingdom to Port Harcourt and open up the community to the rest of the world. If you live in Port Harcourt and  you want to visit Bonny, you can only do that through boat but now it will open it for greater opportunities,” he said.

    The Managing Director, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Wolfgang Goetsch, said the tripartite agreement and the agreement between the construction firm and FMPWH have demonstrated government commitment to the nation’s development.

    He said local enterprises would be engaged to supply raw materials while the project wi also create jobs for the rural communities.

    Goetsch pledged timely delivery of the project in alignment with the contract agreement.

    “The contractual time for delivery of the project is four years if everything go as planned. We are already doing mobilisation and soil assessment, the dry season is approaching which is better for us in this type of project,” he added.

  • Oil production dips to 1.3mbd over vandalism, says NNPC

    Oil production dips to 1.3mbd over vandalism, says NNPC

    The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, has said that an average of 700,000bpd of crude oil was deferred in 2016 due to pipeline sabotage, saying this brought Nigeria’s production down to as low as 1.3 million barrels per day from 2.2 million barrels targeted for the period.

    The NNPC GMD, who stated this in a keynote address at the maiden edition of the Nigerian International Pipeline Technology and Security Conference (NIPITECS 2017) in Abuja yesterday, said Year-To-Date 2017, NNPC had recorded twenty–seven (27) breaching incidents on the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP), adding that for the Trans Forcados Pipeline (TFP) with a capacity of 300,000bpd, seventeen (17) breaches were recorded in 2016.

    He declared that Year-To-Date 2017, NNPC had suffered at least fifteen (15) breaching incidents on the TFP, while charging members of the Pipeline Professionals’ Association of Nigeria (PLAN) to conduct a systematic diagnosis of the pipelines system in Nigeria and come up with sustainable and actionable solutions to the menace of pipeline vandalism in the country.

    The Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

    He urged all key players to rally round the Pipeline Professionals to proffer solutions to the pipeline vandalism challenge as it posed a great threat to the Nigerian economy in terms of revenue loss and environmental degradation.

    The statement quoted Baru as saying that: “The foregoing summarizes the effect of pipeline vandalism and therefore underscores the importance of protecting our pipeline system and treating them as National Assets… On the strength of that, we must endeavor to carry out a systematic diagnosis and proffer workable, practicable and actionable solutions that will guarantee sustainability of pipeline infrastructure.”

    He listed some of the measures deployed by NNPC to stem the tide of pipeline vandalism to include: Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) technology to bury pipelines deeper to prevent easy accessibility; technology-based pipeline surveillance mechanism with capability to detect, alert and deny access; and aerial monitoring and marine patrols by the Military Joint Tax Force (JTF).

    Dr. Baru further said government was working out a political solution to the socially-induced-agitation sabotage while the law enforcement agencies had been empowered to deal with those who engage in pipeline vandalism out of criminality such as oil theft.

    Speaking earlier on the significance of the conference, Chairman of PLAN, Engr. Geoff Onuoha, said considering the critical role of pipelines to the entire value chain of the oil and gas industry, there was need for a forum like NIPITECS to bring professionals and stakeholders together to brainstorm and share knowledge and technology.

    The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Wabote, who also spoke at the occasion, said the Board was working hard to boost local production of pipes, adding that its efforts were already yielding dividends as Nigeria now has two world class pipe mills in full operation.

    On his part, the Director General of Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Engr. Chidi Izuwah, challenged industry players to tap into the opportunities in Public Private Partnership (PPP) to boost pipeline and other infrastructures in the country.

  • ‘Falconets are experieced enough to beat tanzania’

    ‘Falconets are experieced enough to beat tanzania’

    The head coach of Nigeria female U-20 team, Falconets, Christopher Danjuma, said he has players with the experience to beat the Tanzanians in the Africa qualifier for the 2018 female U-20 World Cup.

    Danjuma who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria（NAN）on Wednesday in Benin, said the team was mentally and physically prepared to face the East African team on Saturday in Benin.

    He said weeks of intensive training and preparation had placed the Falconets in a good stead to beat their opponent in the Africa qualifying series.

    “Nigeria is a big country and do not settle for less but the best. We are in Benin to give our best.

    “The Tanzanians are coming to Benin to meet a team that has set a record in Africa at this category of female football.

    “The team is made up of excellent home based players. Most of them have experience having played at the U-17 category，so you can see that we are better prepared for total victory on Saturday.”

    NAN reports that Falconets arrived in the ancient city of Benin on Tuesday at about 9 p.m. from Abuja.

    The head coach of the team, Christopher Danjuma, who declined to speak on the journey by road, however, said the team are not deterred by the experience.

    NAN reports that the Tanzanian delegation is expected to fly into Abuja on Thursday and proceed to Benin same day.

    The second leg will take place in Dar es Salaam on Sept. 30, with the winner to tackle the winner of the Morocco/Senegal clash in the second round in November.

    The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Vincentia Enyonam Amedome from Togo as referee for the match.

    She will be assisted by compatriots Kossiwa Kpadenou (Assistant 1), Abra Sitsope Agbedanou (Assistant 2) and Aissata Ameyo Amegee (Fourth Official) while the match commissioner is Rochell Woodson from Liberia.

    The 9th FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup will be staged in four cities in France from Aug. 7 to Aug. 26 2018

  • Stakeholders urge FG to stop illegal export of minerals

    Stakeholders urge FG to stop illegal export of minerals

    Stakeholders at the on-going maiden National Council on Mining and Mineral Resources Development, have called on the Federal Government ( FG ) to check  illegal mining and unauthorised exports of minerals in the country.

    The stakeholders, who made the call in different presentations at a technical session of the meeting in Abuja, urged the Federal Government to tackle illegal issuance of mining licence by some state governments.

    In addition, they urged the government to address geo-science data, defaulting in the payment of taxes and royalties as well as multiple taxation in the sector.

    Mr Ebhota Al-Amin, a mining research and policy development expert, in his presentation, said mining had not been able to contribute meaningfully to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) because of those challenges.

    Al-min , who gave a presentation on “Illegal Mining and Export Challenges: Policy Recommendations’’, said the sector had not been contributing  significantly to GDP  because a good percentage of exports in the sector remained undocumented.

    He said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should be more involved in exportation of minerals as being done in other mineral-rich countries.

    Also, Prof. Peter Akper of Equity Law Partners,  dwelt on the various obstacles affecting the growth of the sector.

    Akper, who presented a paper, “Creating Effective Regulation and Legal Framework for Mining Sector,’’ commended the government’s on-going reform in the sector with its attendant growth.

    He also observed that the country had well-structured mining laws.

    The professor, however, said that the government needed to do more enforcement of existing laws and strengthening of institution, to achieve excellent result.

    Other stakeholders who spoke, urged the Federal Government to enforce mining regulations to enhance the growth of the sector.

    They also urged the government to focus more on strengthening sector governance to fully realise its economic diversification plan through mining.

    According to them, strengthening the sector governance will enable government to manage the available mineral resources and compete favourably in the global mineral and mining market.

    The meeting, which started with the technical session, is expected to discuss memoranda in five chosen thematic areas for approval at the ministerial session.

    The permanent secretary is the chairman of the technical session while  the minister of mines and steel development will chair the ministerial session on Thursday.

    The theme of the three-day meeting is “Enhancing Mineral Resources Governance towards Economic Growth and Diversification’’.

  • Falconets arrive Benin for Tanzania clash

    Falconets arrive Benin for Tanzania clash

    Nigeria’s Under 20 female team, Falconets have arrived in Benin on Tuesday ahead of Saturday’s 2018 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying match against Tanzania.

    According to a statement on NFF website on Tuesday, Chris Danjuma, coach of falconets led the players and other officials from Abuja this morning to the ancient city.

    Danjuma has been working with the ladies for the past three weeks in Abuja, and he expects his girls to go all out for a handsome win.

    The Tanzanian delegation is expected to fly into Abuja on Thursday and proceed to Benin City same day.

    The second leg will take place in Dar es Salaam on Sept. 30 September, with the winner, on aggregate, to tackle the winner of the Morocco/Senegal clash in the second round in November.

    The two –time World Cup silver medalists are expected to continue training to perfect preparation for Saturday’s encounter against the East Africans at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium.

    Also, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Vincentia Enyonam Amedome from Togo as referee for the match.

    She will be assisted by compatriots Kossiwa Kpadenou (Assistant 1), Abra Sitsope Agbedanou (Assistant 2) and Aissata Ameyo Amegee (Fourth Official) while the match commissioner is Rochell Woodson from Liberia.

    The 9th FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup will be staged in four cities in France from Aug. 7 to Aug. 26 2018.

  • Nigeria to host African Tourism in 2018

    Nigeria to host African Tourism in 2018

    Nigeria will host the 61st meeting of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation Commission for Africa ( UNWTO) conference in Abuja from June 4 to June 6 next year.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed announced this on Tuesday in Chengdu, China, at the 60th meeting of the Conference of African Ministers of Tourism.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the African Ministers of Tourism held the meeting on the sideline of the 22nd UNWTO General Assembly, holding in Chengdu, Sichuan Province of Southwest China.

    Mohammed who led Nigeria delegation to the UNWTO General Assembly expressed gratitude to his colleagues for the support given to Nigeria in winning the bidding to host UNWTO CAF.

    He reaffirmed the commitment of Nigeria towards successful hosting of the conference and realisation of its objectives.

    “I wish to assure you that the ministry, with full support of the Presidency and members of the National Assembly are committed towards ensuring successful hosting of the 61st meeting of the UNWTO CAF.

    “Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, has been designated by the Nigerian Tourism Master Plan as a Conference Capital.
    The choice of the city is part of government’s efforts at promoting Abuja as a conference destination within the sub-region,’’ he said.

    The minister said that the meeting which will attract wide range of delegates from around the world will provide unique opportunity for global visibility for Nigeria as a key player in tourism development.

    He said it would also afford Nigeria the opportunity to showcase its rich cultural assets.

    Mohammed assured that the meeting would follow the traditional pattern of an inclusive, participatory and active dialogue that encouraged conversation and enable delegates to have more time and space for networking and discussion.

    He commended Mr Taleb Rifai, the outgoing Secretary General of the UNWTO for his stewardship, characterised by innovative ideas, strategic thinking and efforts to increase the credibility and visibility of the organisation.

    He also congratulated Dr Walter Mzembi, the out-going Chairman of CAF and Zimbabwe’s Minister of Tourism on the successful completion of his term. (NAN)

  • Defence College hosts US Admiral

    Defence College hosts US Admiral

    Guest of the National Defence College, Abuja, Admiral Michelle Howard, the first African-American woman to command a ship in the United States Navy, inspires women and lifts Nigeria-US relations, report BLESSING OLAIFA and SAADATU USMAN

    The National Defence College, Abuja has hosted the first African-American woman to command a ship in the United States Navy, the first woman to be promoted to the rank of four-star admiral in the US Navy.

    Admiral Michelle Howard, Commander, Allied Joint Forces Command Naples, Commander US Naval Forces and Commander US Naval Forces Africa was received by the Commandant of the National Defence College, Rear Admiral Adeniyi Osinowo and other top military officers and management of the college.

    Admiral Howard was in Nigeria to meet senior Nigerian civilian and military officials to discuss maritime collaboration and naval bilateral relationship. She was accompanied by the American Ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart W. Symington, top US military officers and other top embassy officials.

    Admiral Howard who addressed participants of NDC Course 26 in a lecture titled “Women, Peace and Security”, was described by Rear Admiral Osinowo as “a role model and one of the best personalities to speak on gender issues as well as mentorship to our womenfolk who hold on to a dream of a very fulfilling career in the military and other endeavours.”

    Rear Admiral Osinowo noted that the NDC is the highest military academic institution in Nigeria and has since its inauguration in 1992 trained over 2000 senior officers. He added that the current NDC Course 26 is made up of 135 participants including 18 participants from 18 countries of Africa and beyond.

    Setting the stage for the lecture at the college auditorium, Admiral Osinowo said, “In contemporary terms we live in an era of…migratory threats to security both within and across national boundaries. One of the glaring consequences of the attendant conflicts to this trend of insecurity is that women and girls suffer their impact most. Women are also targets of other specific forms of violence and abuse including sexual violence and exploitation.

    “In order to address the problem, there is a compelling need to bring gender perspectives to conflict prevention and resolution peace building, peace-keeping, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts.

    “It is in these regards that I consider the topic for discussion today a particularly unique one. I anticipate that the knowledge gained from this lecture will also help the participants and the college academic community research more into areas of gender mainstreaming for security and development in Africa.

    “The guest speaker, your visit and the choice of this lecture no doubt provides a unique opportunity for us to hear from a personality that has risen to the pinnacle of her carrier and to the enviable rank of four-star admiral in the US Navy”.

    However, Admiral Howard who commenced her lecture by presenting a panoramic review of her experiences and exploits in various military operations, especially in Kosovo, Afghanistan and the gulf region during the gulf war I, emphasized that involvement of women as part of ground troops and their interactions with local communities helped in no small measure to achieve peace.

    Admiral Howard spoke extensively on gender mainstreaming within the armed forces in relation with various national and international conventions on military warfare and other issues as well as platforms contingent on the attainment of global peace and security.

    Admiral Howard who was born in April 1960 and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1982 told the gathering that interactions by women who were members of the ground troops enhanced community relationship, build confidence among local women and children as they related freely with them in markets, fetching water together, assisting in medical support and helping to bring hopes and succour to people affected by conflicts.

    She said, “Over time the United Nations has recognised the conditions of women on the ground as an indicator of whether or not they can achieve peace and stability. So we not only have to as operators to understand the conditions of women on the ground, we have to understand how we make life better for them and for children in order to achieve peace and security in a particular nation.

    Speaking on her relationship with the Nigerian Navy, Admiral Howard said, “My relationship with Nigerian Navy is phenomenal and we have been working together for years now working particularly in the Gulf of Guinea, and training together, exercising together and working the trouble spots in that area and so it is a very strong relationship and I was really delighted to be here and talk with the leader of the Nigerian Navy today and discuss ways in which we can cooperate even more closely together”.

     

  • Tight security at pro-Buhari rally

    Security operatives around the Unity Fountain, Abuja were doubled following a rally by the Centre for Civil Society and Justice (CCSJ) in support of President Muhammadu Buhari’s broadcast that the unity of Nigeria is settled.

    Both the young and old turned out in large numbers for the peaceful rally with different inscriptions in solidarity with Buhari’s fight against corruption, and hate speeches, among others.

    Convener of CCSJ, Comrade Goodluck Obi while addressing the crowd, commended Buhari’s administration, its resolve and commitment to fix “our broken society which has been plundered and pillaged by irresponsible leadership in the past at various levels of government.

    Obi urged Nigerians to make peace and unity their watchword at all times no matter the situation and influence.

    The members, who came from the six geo-political zones of the country, brandished various placards during the event.

    Some of the inscriptions on the placards read: “United we stand, divided we fall; ‘Legislooters’ must be jailed; we stand against terrorism; we support Buhari anti-corruption campaign,” among others.

    “It is an indisputable fact that peace and unity are germane to progress and national development of any society.

    “However, it is not in doubt that today, the peace and unity of the Nigerian people is under threat and attack by anti-democratic elements and agents of destabilization and it must be resisted,” Obi said.

    While commending the uncommon resolve of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to root out corruption from the country, CCSJ assured of its total support for government to properly fix Nigeria.

    “We align ourselves with the Presidential broadcast of President Muhammadu Buhari that the unity of Nigeria is settled and urge all persons, group and their sponsors agitating on one cause or another to stop the assault on our national psyche by incitement and plot to cause public disaffection, but rather explore the constitutional and democratic channels in addressing their grievances.

    “We support this government’s determination to recover our country through its uncompromising and unyielding war on corruption, insurgency and economic recovery programmes of which we all have to make sacrifices for the collective good,” Obi said.

    He expressed concern over the antics of some individuals, who he said are agents of destabilization, just as he called on the National Assembly and Judiciary to live up to expectation.

    “We are also disturbed by the developments in the National Assembly and the Judiciary whose conducts is at variance with their constitutional mandate and thus we are calling on both institutions of government to do a rethink a U-turn before it is too late,” the convener added.

    Highpoint of the rally was a walk by members of CCSJ from the Unity Fountain, Maitama, to other parts of the nation’s capital territory to show support for Buhari administration.